Golf game management and entertainment system integrating pre-game, in-game, and post-game content for enhanced golfing experience

ABSTRACT

Golf game management integrates pre-game, in-game, and post-game activities for a golf game into a unified experience. A golf cart-mounted entertainment console includes video cameras, sensory devices worn by the players during the game, and locally-mounted data processing components for modeling collected data. A cart-mounted interface, website, and mobile device application present game-related content that allows players to view and manipulate data before, during and after the game. Multiple data processing modules provide several functions built on data collected from playing a game of golf for players to enjoy an enhanced golf experience.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a golf game management andentertainment system. Specifically, the present invention relates to asystem and method of enhancing a golfing experience by processing andmodeling data related to player shots and presenting augmented dataanalytics and data manipulation functions to players during and after agame of golf.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are several existing systems and methods of augmenting andenhancing a game of golf. Many of these systems and methods relate toimproving shot-making during a game, and utilize global positioningdevices to determine player and shot location while a game of golf is inprogress on a golf course.

Many of these systems and methods rely on either hand-held measurementdevices or products attached to golf clubs to provide informationrequired for meaningful assistance to a golfer in playing a game. Eachof these, however, carries with it significant drawbacks.

For example, the use of hand-held devices requires a golfer to spendextra time handling the device, which takes away from the user'sexperience in actually playing the game. Hand-held devices must also becarried by the golfer, usually either in a golf bag or in one's pocket,resulting in having to think about where the device is instead ofenjoying the game in-progress. The golfer may forget to use it,resulting in inconsistent data collection and a degradation of thequality of functionality provided. Finally, such devices may get lostduring a game. Meanwhile, devices attached to golf clubs introduce abulky component to the clubs, which are increasingly engineered to belight-weight, high-performance playing equipment. They may also beeasily damaged or broken during club use.

U.S. Patent Application No. 2009/0305822 teaches a prior art system andmethod for enhancing a golf game in which a global positioning system isused to establish a score database for players. Scoring information isobtained from global positioning devices and stored locally before beingupdated to a remote computer at a later time. However, there is nomethod of real-time score updating to provide golfers with in-progressinformation about their game, or a real-time summary of how others in agolfer's party are faring on the course. There is also no enhancedfunctionality for making the game more interesting by being able to viewvideo taken or getting shot assistance information while the game is inprogress.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a golf game management and entertainmentpackage that provides enhanced, 360-degree coverage of a player's golfgame by integrating pre-game, in-game, and post-game activities into asingle, unified experience. The present invention includes acart-mounted golf entertainment console and data collection devices thatinclude video cameras and microphones, along with sensory devices wornby the players during the game. Data processing components are includedat the golf entertainment console and remotely at one or more databaselocations and servers. Players may use a graphical user interface on thegolf cart, as well as a website and a mobile device-based applicationbefore, during and after a game. A cloud-based data management systemmanages and stores player information and provides game-related contentfor users on all interfaces.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a “Game Cart” frameworkprovides an in-game, or game time, mode that requires minimalintervention by the player during the course of a golf game. A playerwill only need to signal the golf cart for when to record the shot,acknowledge the club selection, and adjust their score for a hole ifthey incur penalty strokes. This embodiment includes several featuresperformed by data processing modules designed to enhance the golfer'sexperience based modeling of data collected after the player signals thegolf cart to initiate a data collection sequence.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a “Game Space” frameworkmay be a subscription-based service provided to players who want toextend their entertainment experience beyond the duration of an actualgame of golf. Players are able to access the features provided by thedata processing modules discussed in more detail herein remotely from aweb site or mobile portal, such as via a phone-based application. Thisframework presents a virtual clubhouse designed to connect pre-game andpost-game activities of players with their in-game, or game-time,experiences. Players are able to create their own Game Space or jointhose created by another player. Members of a Game Space can view otherplayers' shots, scores, and statistics, make comments, propose andorganize new games, search for courses, make reservations, getdirections, and coordinate meetings.

Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention is a method ofconducting golf game management to provide an enhanced golf experience,comprising receiving a signal transmitted from a first local point tobegin a data collection sequence, and data from a global positioningdevice at the first local point, over at least one wireless connection alocation proximate to the first local point; recording, at the locationproximate to the first local point, a plurality of data relating to agolf shot during the data collection sequence, the plurality of dataincluding a first video of a player conducting the golf shot on a golfcourse, and a second video of the golf shot at a second point distantfrom the location proximate to the first local point, the recordingincluding configuring at least one of a pan, tilt, and zoom functiondetermined by the data received from the global positioning device;processing game-related data extracted from the plurality of datarelating to the golf shot with golf course data in a geographicinformation system, and periodically integrating the plurality ofgame-related data as additional data is collected from additional datacollection sequences, in a plurality of data manipulation modules togenerate output data representative of different characteristics of agolf game to be viewed and manipulated to enhance the golf game by oneor more players, the output data representative of differentcharacteristics of a golf game at least including a golf game scorecard,a real-time golf game leader board tracking game statistics, playerstatistics, player rankings, a layered course map, a plurality of videoplayback functions, and a player's shot statistics; and presenting theoutput data representative of different characteristics of a golf gameto a user interface accessible by one or more players in at least one ofa cart-based graphical user interface, a web-site managed by a remoteweb server, and a mobile application.

In another aspect, the present invention is a golf entertainment system,comprising a plurality of golf cart-based components configured tolocally manage one or more aspects of an in-progress golf game, at leastincluding a data capture apparatus having a plurality of video cameras,a global positioning device, a wireless data transmission and receptionconnection, a graphical user interface, and one or more processorscapable of manipulating and transmitting data captured by the datacapture apparatus, and executing one or more instructions configured toperform a plurality of data processing functions to process game datacollected by the data capture apparatus and generate output datarepresentative of different characteristics of the in-progress golfgame; a plurality of player-based components capable of wirelesslycommunicating with the golf cart-based components, the plurality ofplayer-based components at least including a headset and a globalpositioning device coupled to each player and capable of wirelesscommunication with the golf cart based components; and a network ofremote components configured to store and communicate the game datacollected by the data capture apparatus and spatial data relative togenerating a layered course map for in-game and post-game dataprocessing, the network of remote components including a web serverconfigured to provide access to an interactive website, at least onerelational database, and a geographic information system server, whereinthe plurality of data processing function to process the game data andgenerate output data representative of different characteristics of agolf game are performed by one or more of a game card module configuredto generate at least a real-time golf game scorecard, a game boardmodule configured to generate a three-dimensional aerial rendering of agolf course and individual golf holes to form the layered course map, aswing capture module configured to enable a player to record video ofgolf shots during a golf game using the plurality of video cameras, aleader board module configured to compare and rank players based on gamestatistics at least including driving distance, fairways and greens hit,and putting accuracy, a shot advisor module configured to generaterecommendations for how to conduct a particular golf shot based oncompiled shot statistics of a player and current course conditions, aplayer history module configure to store at least player shotstatistics, videos, and descriptions of golf games conducted, a sportsbook module configured to enable placing of wagers during the golf game,and a play-a-pro module configured to enable a player to conduct avirtual game against one or more other players with data collectedduring previous data collection sequences or stored in the one or moredatabase locations.

In still another aspect, the present invention is a method of augmentinga golf game, comprising collecting data from at least one golf player,the at least one player having a data triggering device capable ofinitiating a data collection sequence at a location proximate to theplayer, and having a global positioning device capable of configuring aplurality of video cameras to record data during the data collectionsequence relative to a golf shot; processing the data within a pluralityof modules configured to integrate the data collected in the datacollection sequence into a plurality of game features for differentcharacteristics of a golf game, the plurality of modules including oneor more of a game card module configured to generate at least areal-time golf game scorecard, a game board module configured togenerate a three-dimensional aerial rendering of a golf course andindividual golf holes to form the layered course map, a swing capturemodule configured to enable a player to record video of golf shotsduring a golf game using the plurality of video cameras, a leader boardmodule configured to compare and rank players based on game statisticsat least including driving distance, fairways and greens hit, andputting accuracy, a shot advisor module configured to generaterecommendations for how to conduct a particular golf shot based oncompiled shot statistics of a player and current course conditions, aplayer history module configure to store at least player shotstatistics, videos, and descriptions of golf games conducted, a sportsbook module configured to enable placing of wagers during the golf game,and a play-a-pro module configured to enable a player to conduct avirtual game against one or more other players with data collectedduring previous data collection sequences or stored in the one or moredatabase locations; and generating the integrated data from the dataprocessing modules in a plurality of output data representative of theplurality of game features for presentation to the user on at least oneinterface, the plurality of output data configurable by the user to viewand manipulate golf game information on the at least one interface toenhance a game of golf during and after play.

Other objects, embodiments, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following description of theembodiments, taken together with the accompanying drawings, whichillustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of theinvention and together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of hardware and software system components ina golf game management and entertainment apparatus according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective of a golf cart having game components coupledthereto;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of steps in a process of implementing the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a screenshot of a graphical user interface displaying datagenerated by one or more data processing functions of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded screenshot of features displayed on a graphicaluser interface generated by one or more data processing functions of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 6 is another exploded screenshot of features displayed on agraphical user interface generated by one or more data processingfunctions of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description of the present invention reference is madeto the accompanying figures which form a part thereof, and in which isshown, by way of illustration, exemplary embodiments illustrating theprinciples of the present invention and how it is practiced. Otherembodiments will be utilized to practice the present invention andstructural and functional changes will be made thereto without departingfrom the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of hardware and software system components ina golf game management and entertainment apparatus 100 that is capableof integrating all aspects of game-related content in an end-to-endplayer experience according to the present invention. The golf gamemanagement and entertainment apparatus 100 includes a plurality offront-end, or player interface, components, and a plurality of back-end,data processing components. The front-end components includeplayer-based components 110 that transmit signals to golf cart-basedcomponents 120. These signals are then communicated to one or morecomputer-based data processing components 130 configured to executecommands in one or more data processing modules 140. The computer-baseddata processing components 130 and the data processing modules 140communicate data in real-time back and forth with at least onerelational database 150 in a remote server-based framework that includesthe at least one database 150, a geographic information systems server160, and a web-server 170.

The player-based components 110 include a headset 112 and a globalpositioning system device 114 for each player wishing to participate inthe player experience provided by golf game management and entertainmentapparatus 100. In one aspect of the present invention, known as “GameTime”, the golf game management and entertainment apparatus 100 istriggered by a signal, generated by a player through his or her headset112, which initiates a data collection sequence from which one or moredata processing modules are triggered. The headset 112 instructs thegolf game management and entertainment apparatus 100 to begindetermining data processing sequences that determine a player'sposition, in connection with his or her GPS device 114, and to record agolf shot about to be taken, as well as integrate other informationabout the player's game.

The present invention contemplates that players may initiate datacollection sequences using a headset 112 in a number of ways. Playersmay depress a button on the headset 112, or may use voice commandsspoken into a speaker coupled to the headset 112. The headset may alsoinclude a motion sensor and a motion recognition component that is aconfigured to detect a player beginning to perform a shot and generate asignal. The headset 112 may also not necessarily be arranged to so as beworn or carried proximate to the head. It may be a device worn onclothing, affixed to or coupled to the golf cart, or coupled to a golfclub.

These functions are performed by the golf cart-based components 120,which at least include one or more video cameras 122 and a cart-basedglobal positioning device 124. The golf cart-based components may alsoinclude a power-over-Ethernet switch 126 for communicating with the oneor more video cameras 122, and a wireless data communications receiver128 such as for example a Class 1 Bluetooth receiver.

The one or more video cameras 122 may be positioned at various places onthe golf cart as shown for example in FIG. 2. The video cameras 122 maybe capable of panning, tilting, and zooming to capture as much of theplayer's golf swing, trajectory of the shot, distance, and landingposition as possible. The video cameras may be connected to thecomputer-based processing components 130 using a local area networkcommunicatively coupled via the power-over-Ethernet switch 126 to handlelarger file sizes associated with video images captured by the one ormore video cameras 122.

The one or more computer-based data processing components 130 are housedin a golf-cart based computing system that includes a display 210, ahousing 220, at least one microprocessor, the plurality of video cameras122, the global positioning system 124, wireless communicationscomponents 132, one or more microphones 230 and others. The computingsystem may be any kind of computing system capable of performing theinterface functions with player-based components and other golfcart-based components, modeling of data collected, displaying modeledgame data to game players, and communication with one or more remoteservers. The computing system may therefore be a tablet-type mobilecomputing device, a laptop or notebook-type computing device, aphone-based device or other personal digital assistant, or any othersimilar devices. The computing system may include memory for storage ofdata and instructions configured for the execution of one or more dataprocessing modules.

The golf cart may include wireless communications components 132, suchas those capable of mobile data communications protocols (such as forexample 3G, 4G, and 5G protocols), and a wireless connection such as aWi-Fi hotspot 132. These wireless communications components 132 areutilized to transmit game-related data in real-time to one or moreremote servers and database locations for further processing of data,such as for example to update in-progress game scoring.

The one or more data processing modules 140 include a geographicinformation system module 142 and an add-in module 144 providing nativefunctionality. These modules provide all on-board game functionality inthe Game Cart framework of the present invention. The add-in module 144applies concepts from robotics to model golf game data for augmented andenhanced user functionality, and incorporates additional data from oneor more files resident in the computer-based data processing components130. These include a map-layer files database component 148 and a layerfiles configuration component 146, which provide golf course mapinformation, and other native-functionality data received fromcommunication with external database sources, such as data maintained orstored in at least one database 150.

The add-in module 144 executes a plurality of processing functions 145that perform pre-game, in-game and post-game features which provide theaugmented reality and enhanced functionality for players of a golf gamewithin the present invention. One processing function 145 provides a“Game Board” feature that provides windows and other graphicalrenderings of data on a graphical user interface. One aspect of the GameBoard is a three-dimensional aerial view map of a golf course beingplayed and individual holes using satellite imagery. The Game Boardfeature incorporates data from the on-board GIS module 142 and at leastone database 150 and/or local GIS database 148. Hole features such astee boxes, greens and hazards are overlaid onto raster imagery and/orvector-based basemap displayed to the user in this Game Board module,and locations where a player has taken shots are marked withcustomizable icons and captions indicating the golf club used and thedistance of the shot taken. Shot lines are drawn between shots to enablean accurate comparison to a center line for each hole. In this GameBoard module, the present invention selects the current hole andswitches from one hole to the next automatically without intervention bya player. Players are still able to select any hole on the course toreview a previous or upcoming hole. Output data relative to the GameBoard module is shown in more detail in FIGS. 4-6 discussed furtherherein. It should be noted that raster imagery may include satellite oraerial images, and the disclosure is not intended to be limited to anyone type of image presented on the Game Board.

The present invention calculates shot information for display in theGame Board 610 and shot history 520 based upon information gathered fromsubsequent shots and GPS points associated with those shots.Accordingly, distances for preceding shots are calculated by logic thatis initiated by signals communicated by a player through headset 112.Communicating of signals for recording of subsequent shots includescommunication of GPS points associated with the upcoming shots, so thatlogic functions performed by in the remote server framework and at leastone relational database 150 calculate distances from previous shots anddisplay images for those shots on the Game Board. The calculations andimages displayed on the Game Board proceed in this manner for eachsubsequent shot.

Another processing function 145 provides a “Game Card” feature whichautomatically updates scoring and handicap calculations in real-time fora game in progress. The Game Card operates in single-cart, multi-cart,or tournament style and enables players to select different types ofscoring, such as match, medal, scramble, and best ball play. Playershots are individually recorded by the video cameras 122 and the scoreis tallied automatically while the game is underway. The player has theability to adjust the final score at the end of each hole. Aftermultiple games have been played, a handicap may be instantly calculatedand available for use during single or group play. The scorecard aspectof the Game Card module is displayed on the graphical user interfaceprovided by the Game Board functionality of the present invention.

The present invention continuously updates scoring after shots are takenby wirelessly transmitting shot data to the at least one database 150for calculation of a new score once the shot data has been processedwithin the Game Card feature. Once the score is calculated, thescorecard for the game is adjusted, updated, and transmitted to the oneor more players playing the game from the at least one relationaldatabase 150 in the remote server-based framework in a hub-and-spokemanner. The Game Card feature therefore generates output data relativeto scorecard functionality, and this output data is displayed on thegraphical user interface as a golf game scorecard. In other words, whenthe computer-based data processing components 130 on the golf cartrefresh, they pull fresh game data from the at least one relationaldatabase 150 in the remote server-based framework so that the database150 is the central or focal point for the game time functionality of thepresent invention.

Data relative to a particular golf shot is collected by the videocameras 122, which have the ability to pan, tilt, and zoom depending ondata indicated by the player's global positioning device 114. At leastone camera 122 is configured to record the player's shot from the pointthe ball is struck, and at least one camera 122 may be configured torecord the player's shot as it travels through the air and lands. Thecameras 122 may be configured to record a shot being taken in a numberof ways—regardless, it is to be understood that vector data regarding ashot is to be derived from both the video recorded and the globalpositioning data, so that scoring information and other data can bepresented to the players for viewing and manipulation in other dataprocessing modules as discussed herein.

Handicaps are calculated within the present invention according tostandardized methods provided by the United States Golf Association orother similar governing body. The present invention implements logicassociated with such standards and applies it in the automatic scorecardfunction once a game has completed. Since a handicap value does notchange until a game is finished, it is contemplated that handicaps forplayers are to be calculated based on rolling results for the last, ormost recent, number of games, for example 5. The present inventionincorporates weights into such calculations based on factors such asother players against whom those last or most recent games were played.Handicaps will then be calculated in the remote server framework andcommunicated to golf carts and/or a Game Space once rounds of golf havebeen completed.

Another of the processing functions 145 provides the ability to recordplayer shots as noted above. This “Swing Capture” functionality enablesa player to record specific video of their shots during a game using thevideo cameras 122 mounted on the golf cart. When a player signals thegolf cart with his or her headset 112 as described above, at least oneof the video cameras 122 records the player's swing and another camera122 records the landing of the ball. In the Swing Capture module, thepresent invention may combine the recorded video into a single, uniformvideo for playback on a graphical user interface as shown in FIGS. 4-6.Each shot video may be linked to the map provided on the Game Board inthe location where the shot was taken. These videos can be viewed by theplayer on the graphical user interface or on an interactive website 172,or can be shared with other players, for example as a highlight, onother carts or remotely via a platform such as YouTube. Viewers of thevideos can tag them with emoticons or words such as “Like” or “Dislike”,etc. for rating purposes, add comments for captioning purposes, or markthem as favorites for easy reference at a later time.

Another processing function 145 provides a “Leader Board” feature thatcompares and ranks players using a variety of game statistics. Gamestatistics used for comparing and ranking may include driving distance,fairways hit, greens hit, and putting accuracy. The Leader Board ispresented during a game on the graphical user interface and is updatedin real-time after each shot is taken by a player. The Leader Boardfeature may include the ability to alert players when changes in ranktake place and identifies the number of positions in the rankings that aplayer has moved. Players are able to manipulate data in this dataprocessing function 145 by selecting a particular statistic andaccessing a detailed view, such as for example in a pop-up window on thegraphical user interface, for more information if desired.

Another processing function 145 in the present invention is a “ShotAdvisor” feature that serves as a “virtual caddy” to players playing agame of golf. In this module, the present invention providesrecommendations for how to play a particular shot based on the player'sindividual shot history and current course conditions. The adviceincludes club selection, direction to aim, type of swing, and where toland the ball. This information is presented visually on the graphicaluser interface within the Game Board aspect of the present invention,and may be present in a manner similar to a golf video game. Players mayuse the headset 112, and methods of communicating signals using theheadset 112 described, to override the recommendation of club selectionin this module and select their own clubs. For example, if the moduleautomatically selects a club recommended by Personal Shot Advisor from alist of clubs, the player may speak his or her own selection of adifferent club into the headset 112 and thereby change the datacollection sequence so that the proper club is indicated.

Still another processing function 145 of the present invention is a“Player History” feature. In this module, player shots, videos, anddescriptive details are recorded and saved in at the least onerelational database 150 as a player's history to be used in a post-gamemode, for future gaming purposes, or to be further analyzed for laterdownstream applications for third parties as described further herein.This information is therefore an example of content that is accessiblein modes provided by either the “Game Cart” framework or the “GameSpace” framework. The Player History module enables a player to reviewand compare past shots with those taken during a different game, againsta different opponent, or on a different hole.

Yet another processing function 145 includes a “Sports Book” feature inwhich players are able to engage in betting amongst each other byplacing side bets to make the game more interesting or to increase theways in which they can win. In this module, popular or common bettingoptions are selectable by the players, and players may be able toconfigure their own customized bets. The value of each bet may also beconfigured by the players for each game. Bets are placed on any playerby any member of a Game Space. A bet status is updated in real-time in amanner similar to scoring, and final results along with payouts will beautomatically calculated at the end of the game.

The data processing functions 145 also include a “Play-A-Pro” featurethat allows a player to play a “virtual game” with one or more otherplayers who may have physically played their game(s) on different datesor times. In this module, the shots of these virtual players aredisplayed to the physical player in a shot-by-shot manner as if theywere playing the game at the same time. The physical player will be ableto view shot videos, player comments, and compare game statistics withthe virtual player(s). It is contemplated that professional players maybe recruited to play course(s) to allow amateur golfers to play avirtual game against them to assess their level of play and/or learn howthe professional approaches each hole and shot on the same course. Aswith other modules, this functionality is also presented on thegraphical user interface for players to view and manipulate.

The data processing functions 145 may further include a“Learn-From-A-Pro” feature that is an adaptation of the Play-A-Profeature. Learn-From-A-Pro enables a golf professional or instructor torecord GPS data and video of each shot and provide lessons in the formof commentary and/or instruction as to how the shot should be approachedand played. These lessons can be made accessible to players in differentways, depending on their preference and particular situation.

On such way is provided in a Shot Lesson mode, in which individual shotlessons are made available to players during a live game. Based on thecurrent position of the golf cart, the Game Board map indicates whetherone or more shot lessons were recorded within proximity of thatposition. Those shot lessons will be visually indicated on the map usingspecial icons. The player may select a shot lesson icon which links tothe audio and/or video recording of the golf professional or instructor.The Game Board map also displays the starting and ending points of theinstructional shot and a shot line from point-to-point to illustrate theexpected results of the lesson.

Another way to make lessons accessible is in Game Lesson mode, in whicha game lesson is a collection of shot lessons that were recorded for anentire game played by the golf professional or instructor. In this mode,the player initially chooses to take a lesson rather than just play anormal game. The player chooses from a menu of pre-recorded game lessonsoffered by the golf course. Each game lesson may include different shotlessons depending on how the golf professional or instructor played aparticular game. The player is able to browse the types of shot lessonsavailable within a particular game lesson in order to decide which oneto select. During a game lesson, the player plays the game similar to a“scramble” format whereby the player hits his or her shot from the samelocation as the golf professional or instructor.

Together, all of these data processing functions provide the augmentedreality approach, and the interactive functionality for players withinthe game, after the game, and across multiple platforms, that result inan enhanced experience for players within a game of golf. Additionally,the modules configured to execute the data processing functionsdescribed herein utilize data extracted from shots based onplayer-initiated signals. The modules transform data extracted from GPSpoints and video cameras by performing one or more mathematicalcalculations to generate output data that performs the enhancedfunctionality presented on the Game Board and described above forviewing and manipulation to enhance the in-game and post-game golfingexperience. All of these modules model golf shot data and generateoutput data to be displayed on the graphical user interface.

Returning to FIG. 1, the golf game management and entertainmentapparatus 100 includes the at least one relational database 150, whichfurther includes at least a SQL portion 152, a video portion 154, and anSDE spatial database portion 156 that extends the SQL portion to moretypes of data such as spatial data and provides vector-based spatialdata for the add-in module 144. The SQL portion 152 is the primaryresident source of data for the add-in module 144, and providessubstantially all of the data needed to perform the in-game processingfunctions 145 of the data processing modules 140.

The geographic information systems (GIS) server 160 conducts mapfunctionality of the Game Space framework of the present invention. TheGame Space as noted above is a virtual clubhouse designed to connectpre-game and post-game activities of players with their game-timeexperiences. Players can create their own Game Space or join thosecreated by another player. Members of a Game Space can view otherplayers' shots, scores, and statistics, make comments, propose andorganize new games, search for courses, make reservations, getdirections, and coordinate meetings. Each of these functions isperformed by one or more data processing modules resident on or accessedby the web server 170. The web server 170 of the present invention isresponsible for providing access to, and content requested for, aninteractive website 172 that permits player interaction over theInternet. Players may access this functionality and manipulate content,such as for example by entering and posting comments, using theinteractive website 172.

The present invention may further include a mobile device-basedapplication 180, not shown in FIG. 1, that provides members limitedaccess to Game Space features. Members can view and respond to otherplayers' comments, accept and decline game invitations, search forcourses, make reservations, get directions, and coordinate meetingsusing a tablet or other device.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a golf cart 200 having componentsassociated with managing a golf game and providing entertaining contentaccording to one embodiment of the golf game management andentertainment apparatus 100 of the present invention. The golf cart 200,as noted above in the description of FIG. 1 with respect to the golfcart-based components 120, includes a display 210 and a housing 220within which the computer-based data processing components 130 aremaintained. The golf cart 200 also includes the video cameras 122,microphones 230, and a cart-based GPS device 124. Additional componentsinside the housing 220 may include hardware 132 for the wirelessconnectivity with the player-based components 110, including theBluetooth receiver 128, and the power-over-Ethernet switch 126. Wirelesstransmission and reception hardware for communicating data to and fromthe at least one relational database 150 may also be included within thehousing.

It should be noted that the golf cart-based components 120 are capableof communicating with the player-based components 110 using any wirelesscommunication framework. Therefore, although Bluetooth connectivity isone such framework contemplated herein, any technology which permitscommunication over a dedicated and small personal area network forexchanging data over short distances is within the scope of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram 300 of steps in a process of participating in andmanaging a golf game, and accessing entertainment content therein,according to another embodiment of the present invention. A player in agolf game triggers functionality in the present invention by activatinga device that is to be worn by or proximate to the player, such as forexample the headset 112. The headset 112 transmits a signal 310 to thegolf cart-based components 120 to prepare to capture data in a datacollection sequence. The player then proceeds to perform his or her shotin the golf game. The cart-based components 120 initiate the datacollection sequence by collecting data from the global positioningdevice 114 that is player-based, and then record 320 the shot, using oneor more of the cameras 112 to record video, and the microphones 230 torecord sound. The cart-based components 120 also record 330 additionaldata regarding the shot, such as landing distance from the currentlocation, and other information such as the trajectory of the shot, theterrain in which the ball lands, and the location of the ball to enable,for example, the player to find the ball.

The data recorded by the cart-based components 120 at steps 320 and 330is then wirelessly communicated 340 between the golf cart 200 and thecart-based components 120 to the at least one database 150. This data isprocessed by one or more processing modules accessed from the at leastone relational database 150, which performs the updating of the in-gamescorecard and enables the Game Board to be updated accordingly. As notedabove, the at least one relational database 150 applies logic to datarecorded in steps 320 and 330 and communicated in step 340 to calculateshot data based on subsequent data points collected in data collectionsequences for later-occurring shots, and transmits this information backto refresh the Game Card. Communication of the shot data also enablesplayers in other carts to receive and view 360 game updates as data isprocessed and transmitted from remote locations performing Game Boardprocessing.

The golf game management and entertainment apparatus 100 also provides370 data to the players over the Internet, such as a game summary andshot highlights. Additional data manipulation may be performed using thefunctions in the one or more data processing modules resident on oraccessed by the at least one relational database 150, and displayed toplayers in the golf cart 200 from which the shot information wascaptured, players in other golf carts, and to others over the Internet.

FIGS. 4-6 are exemplary screenshots of entertainment content provided ona graphical user interface in the game time mode within the Game Cartframework of the golf entertainment and game management apparatus 100.This in-game mode and attendant functions accessible therein areperformed by the one or more data processing modules 145 representin-game functionality available to players in the present invention, asnoted above. The entertainment content is provided by the GIS module142, together with the add-in module 144 and the one or more dataprocessing modules 145, and displayed to players, either on a display210 in a golf cart 200 in the Game Cart framework or over the internetvia the web server 170.

FIG. 4 is an example of a default page 400 for a Game Board in the GameCart framework in the golf game management and entertainment apparatus100.

The Game Board default screen 400 of the present invention may alsoinclude a scorecard window 430 that displays statistics about a player'sperformance during a golf game. These statistics, which can becustomized by the player using the graphical user interface, may includehis or her current score, the portion of the course currently beingplayed, the player's score per hole, the par per hole, the handicap, andother statistical data related to the holes being played. The player mayalso, in a separate part of the scorecard window 430, toggle betweengame stats, player stats, and rankings, and may display data such asdrive yardage per hole in various graphical representations.

A map window 440 on the Game Board default screen 400 provides digitalrendering of a hole selected by a player. The map window 440 shows anoverhead view of the entire hole, including the tee area and surroundingterrain, and provides a linear overlay on the map with the player's shotstatistics. Players may be able to move a mouse over, or touch and tap,portions of the map window to zoom in a particular shot or to play videoof a shot that has been made. Players may also be able to activatepop-up windows with historical data regarding, for example, previousrounds played by the same player on the same hole, or other player data.

In one embodiment, the map window 440 shows multiple layers ofinformation. A base layer is the course map provided by the GIS server160 and/or the GIS module 142. Raster imagery and/or vector-based GISdata may be overlaid on the map to show particular non-interactivecontent, such as information about hazard or course conditions. Theplayer's shot statistics may then be overlaid as a vector layer on topof this GIS data, so that the player may conduct interactive operationssuch as for example zoom, activating pop-ups, and video playback.

Another window 450 in the Game Board default page 400 is the locationtherein in which videos of player shots are to be played via thegraphical user interface. A tabbed section 452 may allow players toselect between “Setup,” “Devices,” and “Network Video” in this videofunction window 450. When the Network Video tab is selected in thetabbed section 452, players are able to select from a plurality ofbuttons 454 within the video function window 450 to view videos of shotstaken by the video cameras 122 on the golf cart 200. Players may selectfrom which video camera 122 to view recorded videos, and can select froma list of holes and shots. The list also provides additional statisticalinformation such as the type of golf club used. The buttons 454 includea Start Video button, the ability to select from different directions,the ability to zoom in or out, and the ability to enter into a fullscreen mode. Other selectable features may also be available, such as anadjustment of the resolution of the video. Players may also select froma “shots” item and a “recorded video” item. Selection of the “shots”items lists all shots, as shown in FIG. 4. Selection of the “recordedvideo” item lists video clips taken during the game by the video cameras122. Selection of a particular video may open a pop-up window withinwhich the video can be played, saved, or shared, either via email oranother messaging platform, such as for example YouTube, Facebook,Twitter, Pinterest, or Tumblr.

It is to be understood that the Game Board default screen 400 can beconfigured in many different ways. Windows may be moved, re-sized, orclosed, so that no one configuration is to be preferred. Nonetheless,the system may be configured to certain defaults, such as those in theexample screenshot of FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 is an example of windows displaying information generated fromthe one or more data processing functions 145 selected within the GameCart framework, and shows an exploded screenshot 500 of entertainmentcontent provided on the Game Board on the graphical user interface. FIG.5 shows an Automatic Scorecard window 510, which displays in-progressscoring of the golf game being played. FIG. 5 also shows Shot Historywindow 520 which displays hole-by-hole and shot-by-shot statistics foreach player during the game being played.

As noted above, the one or more data processing functions 145 includes aShot Advisor module that provides a “virtual caddy” to players in theGame Cart framework with assistance in, for example, club selection anddetermining how to perform a particular shot. FIG. 5 shows a ClubSelector and Personal Shot Advisor window 530, which providesinformation generated by this module to the player regarding theselection of a golf club and for a particular shot to be made. The ClubSelector and Personal Shot Advisor window 530 includes a pull-down menu540 listing available golf clubs, and displays Player Stats in a shotstatistics window 550 showing minimum, maximum, and average hittingdistance for each club. The Shot Advisor module also includes display ofa real-time, in-play hole tracker window 560 that shows a player wherethe player is on a particular hole, relative to both the distance fromthe last shot, and the distance remaining to the pin. Players maymanipulate this data to customize it by, for example, enteringinformation related to a custom club they are using for a particulargame, and entering custom names for clubs in their golf bags.

FIG. 6 is a further example of windows displaying information generatedfrom the one or more data processing modules 145 selected within theGame Cart framework, and shows an exploded screenshot 600 ofentertainment content provided in the Game Board module on the graphicaluser interface. FIG. 6 is a further exploded view of windows displayedin FIG. 4. FIG. 6 shows a Game Board map window 610, which displays athree-dimensional augmented reality map of a particular hole beingplayed on a golf course. The Game Board map window 610 is an overlay ofdata processing by the add-in module 144 and the GIS module 142 onto athree-dimensional GIS rendering of the actual course. FIG. 6 also showsclose-up views of video recorded with the video cameras 122. These videowindows 620 enable the player to watch video recorded from the golf cart200 and to select from cameras 122. Also shown in FIG. 6 is a Game Statswindow 630.

The geographic information system server 160 and geographic informationsystem module 142 are third party map-related products that integratehardware, software, and data for analyzing and displayinggeographically-referenced information. The present inventioncontemplates that the GIS server 160 is an ArcGIS server, provided byEsri, Inc., that provides centralized management of all mapping,imagery, and geodata management related to golf courses on which golfgames will be played. The GIS module 142 is a cart-based module thatpermits the present invention to visualize map-related data by accessingready-to-use base maps and layers, stored at least in part in themap-layer files-based database component 148. The GIS module 142 alsopermits the present invention to integrate golf data collected withmapping services provided by the GIS server 160, and may also allowplayers to create custom maps. The GIS module 142 is also configured toadd overlays to golf course maps as discussed above, and perform spatialanalysis on the map data to provide content via the Game Board such asfor example in the Shot Advisor module. The present inventioncontemplates that the GIS module 142 is an ArcGIS Explorer module, alsoprovided by Esri, Inc.

The present invention further contemplates that GIS components such asthe GIS server 160 and the GIS module 142 may be natively built toprovide further customized functionality in the golf entertainment andgame management apparatus 100. For example, the present invention mayincorporate specialized golf course data that permits more detailedspatial data integration with collected golf shot data. Natively-built,golf-course specific GIS data may be used to provide a deeper level ofdetail for players using the present invention when their shot data isintegrated using the multiple data processing modules and functions 145.Such specialized golf course data may be provided, for example, by golfcourse managers to provide an even more enhanced and unique playingexperience.

The present invention further contemplates that data collected fromplayers via the global positioning devices 114 and 124, and the videocameras 122, and other methods of capturing golf shot data, may bestored in the at least one relational database 150 for uses beyondintegration within the golf entertainment and game management apparatus100. The collected data may be modeled in any number of ways dependingon consumer need. Such uses include packaging data sets for third partyuses and applications. There are many possible examples of such uses andapplications. For example, golf courses may be interested in acquiringdata on how players of various skill levels have fared on their courses.Weather information may be collected in conjunction with golf games, andcourses may be interested in learning how weather conditions affectplayers of various skill levels, so that adjustments in course terraincan be made. Golf courses may also be interested in developing mobileapplications to simulate play on their courses, and making thoseapplications available to enthusiasts for play on mobile devices. Suchapplications may incorporate actual historical data played on thosecourses. Video game manufacturers may be interested in acquiringhistorical data for particular courses to simulate play on thosecourses. Golf equipment manufacturers, such as club manufacturers, maybe interested in acquiring information related to the presentinvention's Shot Advisor module, in which recommendations are made toplayers regarding which clubs to use, and how to play a particular shotwith a club.

The present invention therefore includes, in one or more additionalembodiments, methods of modeling data for delivering particular types ofinformation that are meaningful to commercial enterprises. One suchembodiment may include a method and system of determining and deliveringgolf club usage and performance data. Another such embodiment mayinclude a method and system of assisting in golf course development. Yetanother such embodiment may include a system and method of modeling theimpact of weather conditions for managing golf course activities. It iscontemplated that many such systems and methods of manipulatingcollected data for later uses and applications by third parties iscontemplated. Still further, the present invention contemplates thatadditional data processing modules may be developed and incorporated tomodel collected golf shot data for specific commercial purposes.

In another aspect of the present invention, when a player takes a shotduring a golf game, an avatar representing that player is placed on theGame Board and visible in the user interface. The golf game managementand entertainment apparatus 100 contemplates an automated method ofcreating a player avatar, which is to be stored in a database collectionfor that player's game history. Using the video stream from the cameras122 in the Game Cart framework, the player's face is detected using afacial detection module. An image from the video stream is saved andtrimmed around the detected face and saved to the player's game historyin the database for immediate use in the gaming experience provided bythe Game Cart framework. One example method for facial recognition anddetection is a Haar-like classifier cascade method that employs computervision techniques to perform image object detection. Other similarmethods are also within the scope of the present invention, and it is tobe understood that it is not to be limited to one method of capturing alikeness of a player from a video stream, associating that likeness witha player and storing it in a database, and presenting the likeness torepresent the player in either the Game Cart or Game Space frameworksdescribed herein.

It is to be noted that data collected and communicated within thepresent invention may be encrypted to add elements of data security tothe golf game management and entertainment apparatus 100 and preservethe integrity of data stored regarding player histories for futureapplication. The present invention at least applies data encryptiontechniques for transmission from the at least one database 150 to theroboGo add-in 144 and other data processing modules 140 to ensureintegrity of the data for in-progress game within the Game Cartframework.

It is to be understood that other embodiments will be utilized andstructural and functional changes will be made without departing fromthe scope of the present invention. The foregoing descriptions ofembodiments of the present invention have been presented for thepurposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed.Accordingly, many modifications and variations are possible in light ofthe above teachings. For example, the present invention may include dataexport capabilities to transmit course and club data to a third party,such as a golf club manufacturer, to allow the manufacturer to analyzehow to improve a player's experience using its clubs. Similarly, datamay be exported to golf course management to improve the golfingexperience at their facility. The present invention may include a videogame portion which permits players to design their own virtual coursesand play those courses with simulated “professional” players, or againstthemselves, using historical data. It is therefore intended that thescope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A computerized method of conducting golfgame management to provide an enhanced golf experience, comprising:receiving a signal transmitted from a first local point to begin a datacollection sequence, and data from a player-based global positioningdevice at the first local point, over at least one wireless connection alocation proximate to the first local point; recording, at the locationproximate to the first local point, a plurality of data relating to agolf shot during the data collection sequence, the plurality of dataincluding a first video of a player conducting the golf shot on a golfcourse, and a second video of the golf shot at a second point distantfrom the location proximate to the first local point, the recordingincluding configuring at least one of a pan, tilt, and zoom functiondetermined by the data received from the global positioning device sothat the first video and the second video automatically record theplurality of data relating to a golf shot during the data collectionsequence in response to communication from the global positioning devicetransmitting a player's position without further player intervention;extracting game-related data from the plurality of data relating to thegolf shot, the game-related data comprised of vector-based spatial dataderived from at least one of the first video, the second video, and theglobal positioning device; processing the game-related data extractedwith golf course data in a geographic information system, andperiodically integrating the game-related data as additional data iscollected from additional data collection sequences, in a plurality ofdata manipulation modules within a computing environment in which theplurality of data processing modules are executed in conjunction with atleast one processor, the data processing modules configured to generateoutput data representative of different characteristics of a golf gameto be viewed and manipulated to enhance the golf game by one or moreplayers, the output data representative of different characteristics ofa golf game at least including a golf game scorecard, a real-time golfgame leader board tracking game statistics, player statistics, playerrankings, a layered course map, a plurality of video playback functions,and a player's shot statistics; and presenting the output datarepresentative of different characteristics of a golf game to a userinterface accessible by one or more players in at least one of acart-based graphical user interface, a web-site managed by a remote webserver, and a mobile application.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein thefirst local point is a player and the location proximate to the firstlocal point is a golf cart, and further wherein the global positioningdevice and a device from which the signal is transmitted from the firstlocal point are coupled to the player.
 3. The method of claim 2, whereinthe at least one wireless connection forms a personal area network forexchanging data over short distances.
 4. The method of claim 2, whereinthe at least one wireless connection uses Bluetooth devices.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising transmitting, over a wirelessconnection, the plurality of data relating to a golf shot to at leastone relational database following each data collection sequence forupdating at least a game score and game statistics, and for storing theplurality of data.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprisingtransmitting, over a wireless connection, the plurality of data relatingto a golf shot for uploading the first video and the second videocollected during a data collection sequence on a web-based platform. 7.The method of claim 1, further comprising, in the plurality of datamanipulation modules to generate output data representative of differentcharacteristics of a golf game, processing real-time in-game scoringupdates in a game card module configured to generate the real-time golfgame scorecard, and transmitting the real-time in-game scoring updatesto a plurality of other players in other locations from a centralizedlocation.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising, in the pluralityof data manipulation modules to generate output data representative ofdifferent characteristics of a golf game, preparing a game summary andshot highlights to be transmitted for sharing with other players usingat least one interface.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising, inthe plurality of data manipulation modules to generate output datarepresentative of different characteristics of a golf game, processing athree-dimensional aerial view map of the course and individual courseholes using at least one of raster imagery or vector-based GIS data in agame board module configured to generate the layered course map.
 10. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising, in the plurality of datamanipulation modules to generate output data representative of differentcharacteristics of a golf game, compiling game and shot statisticsincluding one or more of driving distance, fairways and greens hit, andputting accuracy in a leader module configured at least to compare andrank the one or more players in a golf game.
 11. The method of claim 1,further comprising, in the plurality of data manipulation modules togenerate output data representative of different characteristics of agolf game, generating recommendations for how to conduct a particulargolf shot based on compiled shot statistics of a player and currentcourse conditions in a shot advisor module.
 12. The method of claim 1,further comprising, in the plurality of data manipulation modules togenerate output data representative of different characteristics of agolf game, enabling interaction between players in a sports book moduleconfigured to enable placing of wagers.
 13. The method of claim 1,further comprising, in the plurality of data manipulation modules togenerate output data representative of different characteristics of agolf game, enabling a player to conduct a virtual game against one ormore other players with data collected during previous data collectionsequences or stored in the one or more database locations in aplay-a-pro module.
 14. The method of claim 1, further comprising, in theplurality of data manipulation modules to generate output datarepresentative of different characteristics of a golf game, creating aplayer avatar in a facial detection module configured to capture animage of the player's face and associating the player avatar with theplayer on the cart-based graphical user interface.
 15. A golfentertainment system, comprising: a plurality of golf cart-basedcomponents configured to locally manage one or more aspects of anin-progress golf game, at least including a data capture apparatushaving a plurality of video cameras, a global positioning device, awireless data transmission and reception connection, a graphical userinterface, and one or more computer processors capable of manipulatingand transmitting data captured by the data capture apparatus, andexecuting one or more instructions configured to perform a plurality ofdata processing functions to process game data collected by the datacapture apparatus and generate output data representative of differentcharacteristics of the in-progress golf game; a plurality ofplayer-based components capable of wirelessly communicating with thegolf cart-based components, the plurality of player-based components atleast including a data collection triggering device and a globalpositioning device coupled to each player and capable of wirelesscommunication with the golf cart based components so that the pluralityof video cameras automatically record player information in response tocommunication from the global positioning device relative to a player'sposition without further player intervention; and a network of remotecomponents configured within a computing environment including at leastone computer-readable storage medium having the one or more instructionsstored therein, the one or more computer processors operable to executethe one or more instructions to 1) extract the game data collected bythe data capture apparatus, the game data comprised of vector-basedspatial data derived from at least one of the plurality of videocameras, and the global positioning device, and 2) store and communicatethe game data collected by the data capture apparatus and spatial datarelative to generating a layered course map for in-game and post-gamedata processing, the network of remote components including a web serverconfigured to provide access to an interactive website, and at least oneof a relational database and a geographic information system server,wherein the plurality of data processing functions to process the gamedata and generate output data representative of differentcharacteristics of a golf game are performed by one or more of a gamecard module configured to generate at least a real-time golf gamescorecard, a game board module configured to generate athree-dimensional aerial rendering of a golf course and individual golfholes to form the layered course map, a swing capture module configuredto enable a player to record video of golf shots during a golf gameusing the plurality of video cameras, a leader board module configuredto compare and rank players based on game statistics at least includingdriving distance, fairways and greens hit, and putting accuracy, a shotadvisor module configured to generate recommendations for how to conducta particular golf shot based on compiled shot statistics of a player andcurrent course conditions, a player history module configure to store atleast player shot statistics, videos, and descriptions of golf gamesconducted, a sports book module configured to enable placing of wagersduring the golf game, and a play-a-pro module configured to enable aplayer to conduct a virtual game against one or more other players withdata collected during previous data collection sequences or stored inthe one or more database locations.
 16. The system of claim 15, whereinthe wireless data transmission and reception device is configured totransmit over a long distance data representing a video of a golf shotto a remote server for uploading the video to web-based platform. 17.The system of system 15, wherein the wireless data transmission andreception device forms a personal area network for exchanging data overshort distances.
 18. The system of claim 15, wherein the wireless datatransmission and reception device includes Bluetooth connectivity. 19.The system of claim 15, further comprising a facial detection moduleconfigured to capture an image of the player's and associate a playeravatar with the player's face on the graphical user interface.
 20. Acomputerized method of augmenting a golf game, comprising: collectingdata from at least one golf player, the at least one player having adata triggering device capable of initiating a data collection sequenceat a location proximate to the player, and having a global positioningdevice capable of configuring a plurality of video cameras to recorddata during the data collection sequence relative to a golf shot so thatthe plurality of video cameras automatically record player informationin the data collection sequence in response to communication from theglobal positioning device relative to a player's position withoutfurther player intervention; processing the data within a plurality ofmodules configured within a computing environment comprised of acomputer processor and at least one computer-readable storage mediumoperably coupled to the computer processor and having programinstructions stored therein, the computer processor being operable toexecute the plurality of modules to 1) extract game-related from thedata collected in the game collection sequence, the game-related datacomprised of vector-based spatial data derived from at least one of theplurality of video cameras, and the global positioning data, and 2)integrate the data collected in the data collection sequence into aplurality of game features for different characteristics of a golf game,the plurality of modules including one or more of a game card moduleconfigured to generate at least a real-time golf game scorecard, a gameboard module configured to generate a three-dimensional aerial renderingof a golf course and individual golf holes to form the layered coursemap, a swing capture module configured to enable a player to recordvideo of golf shots during a golf game using the plurality of videocameras, a leader board module configured to compare and rank playersbased on game statistics at least including driving distance, fairwaysand greens hit, and putting accuracy, a shot advisor module configuredto generate recommendations for how to conduct a particular golf shotbased on compiled shot statistics of a player and current courseconditions, a player history module configure to store at least playershot statistics, videos, and descriptions of golf games conducted, asports book module configured to enable placing of wagers during thegolf game, and a play-a-pro module configured to enable a player toconduct a virtual game against one or more other players with datacollected during previous data collection sequences or stored in the oneor more database locations; and generating the integrated data from thedata processing modules in a plurality of output data representative ofthe plurality of game features for presentation to the user on at leastone interface, the plurality of output data configurable by the user toview and manipulate golf game information on the at least one interfaceto enhance a game of golf during and after play.
 21. The method of claim20, further comprising presenting the data in a graphical user interfaceconfigured at the location proximate to the player, wherein the locationproximate to the player is a golf cart.
 22. The method of claim 20,further comprising storing collected data in at least one remotedatabase location for in-game and post-game applications of player andshot data and for extracting data from the collected data for additionalprocessing in third-party applications.
 23. The method of claim 20,further comprising analyzing data from the global positioning device toconfigure the plurality of video cameras with respect to at least one ofpan, tilt, and zoom functions to record video of the player during thedata collection sequence.
 24. The method of claim 20, comprisingreceiving data from a player over a wireless connection forms a personalarea network for exchanging data over short distances.
 25. The method ofclaim 20, further comprising transmitting, over a wireless connection,the video recorded during a data collection sequence for uploading to aweb-based platform.
 26. The method of claim 20, further comprisingcalculating at least a shot distance for a first shot represented bydata collected in the data collection sequence from data collectedduring subsequent data collection sequences, and updating thethree-dimensional aerial rendering of a golf course and individual golfholes with the shot distance.
 27. The method of claim 20, furthercomprising creating a player avatar in a facial detection module in theplurality of data processing modules, the facial detection moduleconfigured to capture an image of the player's face and associate theplayer avatar with the player on the cart-based graphical userinterface.